Found a nice looking old rifle with issues (Need Help)

[Murphy_Roberts]

Earlier today I was in a Forestry Training course in Harford County and stopped in a little shop on my way home that sold antique firearms. I just wanted to look around, but I got bit and it caught my eye. There was this rifle and it looked really good with a long barrel. I asked the shopkeeper if she could pull it off the wall and look at so she abliged and showed it to me. Her husband came out and told about it. The rifle is a .54 caliber, 45" barrel Schimmel rifle with a Jacob Goulcher lock. Bore is good it even holds good and isnt muzzle heavy so I decided hey what the hell I gonna buy her. Then tragedy struck. The Mainspring is worn and the lock does not function properly. He told me the lock is not the original for this rifle but is a period correct original lock that just happened to fit that he bought and installed to make her work again. The rifle was missing its original lock. The rifle's lock also doesnt not have a half cock cut into it only a full and the front sight is missing. He said he was able to proof test the rifle by striking the flint manually (he has video evidence which means he has bigger cahunas than me to do that with an original). My question is could I buy a lock and have it installed to make it work again. Like take it to a place like Dixon's Muzzleloaders and have them install a L&R or Siler lock or even do it myself ? Or is it out of the question to make this thing work. I put a deposit down just in case I cant fix it so I dont have the rifle purchased yet. I figured I would hold down the rifle until I can find a fix to my issue here. If anyone has a Goulcher lock to sell I will buy at any price within reason lol. I'll post a picture of the lock. Thank you all for the help you provide. Edit: Sorry about such large image thumbnails I posted these with my computer and may of hit a few wrong things when transferring them from my phone.

 

[hawkeye2]

Not knowing anything about the rest of the rifle or the price I would say it's in good condition and the lock fits nice. I would be tempted to repair the, well not quite original, lock before replacing.

 

[Murphy_Roberts]

Not knowing anything about the rest of the rifle or the price I would say it's in good condition and the lock fits nice. I would be tempted to repair the, well not quite original, lock before replacing.

Can you repair a worn out Mainspring ? I doubt I can find another goucher lock mainspring. It also isnt cut for a half cock which is concerning to me as I would like to have a half cock option for safety reasons.

 

[TreeMan]

I’d fix the current lock. Remove the lock and post some pics of the internals.

 

[appalichian hunter]

Fix the lock, there are vendors and members on the site that I am sure can walk you though it or perhaps offer to do it for you. Looks like a nice rifle from the lock pics.

 

[Brokennock]

The lock can be fixed.
Springs can be made if one can't be found to purchase.
There are those that can cut you a half cock notch.

 

[Colonial Boy]

That’s a good looking lock, I’d get it repaired and whilst it isn’t original it looks period.

 

[deerstalkert]

what is worn out about the mainspring? is it broken or just weak. either way it can be fixed.

 

[Phil Coffins]

Anything can be fixed, time, talent, and/or money is all it takes. It also looks like it had set triggers at one time. Is there a square hole in the trigger plate behind the existing trigger? That is a nice lock and any modern lock would be a step backwards.

 

[Daryl Crawford]

While I'm not able, I'd echo others above that say fix the current lock. There are folks who can fabricate parts and work that lock back into condition.

 

[M. De Land]

Earlier today I was in a Forestry Training course in Harford County and stopped in a little shop on my way home that sold antique firearms. I just wanted to look around, but I got bit and it caught my eye. There was this rifle and it looked really good with a long barrel. I asked the shopkeeper if she could pull it off the wall and look at so she abliged and showed it to me. Her husband came out and told about it. The rifle is a .54 caliber, 45" barrel Schimmel rifle with a Jacob Goulcher lock. Bore is good it even holds good and isnt muzzle heavy so I decided hey what the hell I gonna buy her. Then tragedy struck. The Mainspring is worn and the lock does not function properly. He told me the lock is not the original for this rifle but is a period correct original lock that just happened to fit that he bought and installed to make her work again. The rifle was missing its original lock. The rifle's lock also doesnt not have a half cock cut into it only a full and the front sight is missing. He said he was able to proof test the rifle by striking the flint manually (he has video evidence which means he has bigger cahunas than me to do that with an original). My question is could I buy a lock and have it installed to make it work again. Like take it to a place like Dixon's Muzzleloaders and have them install a L&R or Siler lock or even do it myself ? Or is it out of the question to make this thing work. I put a deposit down just in case I cant fix it so I dont have the rifle purchased yet. I figured I would hold down the rifle until I can find a fix to my issue here. If anyone has a Goulcher lock to sell I will buy at any price within reason lol. I'll post a picture of the lock. Thank you all for the help you provide. Edit: Sorry about such large image thumbnails I posted these with my computer and may of hit a few wrong things when transferring them from my phone.
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I'd sure fix it! Main springs are easily made or annealed, re-bent and re-heat treated. I really like the throated hammer and pan construction with the flash shield at the rear. It also has a bridled frizzen. All the good stuff one wants is already present. Now if the lock works is bridled I don't know how you could do any better. If there is room on the lower hammer drum a half cock can be cut with a carbide end mill but a fly will need to be made and installed to keep the sear nose from catching.

 

[Murphy_Roberts]

what is worn out about the mainspring? is it broken or just weak. either way it can be fixed.

I believe its just weak the lock does set back at full cock but there is little tension upon drawing the lock back. When you pull the trigger it kind falls flat on its face instead of giving the frizzen a healthy strike.

 

[Murphy_Roberts]

I'd sure fix it! Main springs are easily made or annealed, re-bent and re-heat treated. I really like the throated hammer and pan construction with the flash shield at the rear. It also has a bridled frizzen. All the good stuff one wants is already present. Now if the lock works is bridled I don't know how you could do any better. If there is room on the lower hammer drum a half cock can be cut with a carbide end mill but a fly will need to be made and installed to keep the sear nose from catching.

I have been readin up on these locks and back in the day a lot of sporters thought of a half cock as a neccesity for Military Drill and soldiering and not for game hunting. I'd still like a half cock although I guess a leather lock stall would work too.

 

[Murphy_Roberts]

That’s a good looking lock, I’d get it repaired and whilst it isn’t original it looks period.

Yea the lock has the same branding marks the original did he says he ( shop owner) is going to find the orignial lock to give to me so that I can put it back on and have both locks repaired so that I'll have a spare. All it needs is the lock mainspring (hopefully) and a front sight and she will be back in order but before I buy I want to know I can get it working. Im not a wallhanger person if I own a firearm it needs to work properly.

 

[Murphy_Roberts]

Fix the lock, there are vendors and members on the site that I am sure can walk you though it or perhaps offer to do it for you. Looks like a nice rifle from the lock pics.

I emailed Muzzleloaders Builidng Supplies they seemed to have a few mainsprings. Im waiting for their reply if so I will be one step closer.

 

[Murphy_Roberts]

I’d fix the current lock. Remove the lock and post some pics of the internals.

I dont own her 100% yet but when I do I will let you guys see her cast innards lol. I put a holding deposit down so that the rifle wouldnt be sold while I try and see if I can get parts.

 

[andy52]

My first thought would be cost, if it can be had at a decent price the lock can be repaired. When I buy original guns the bore is always my main concern because that is the most expensive thing to have repaired, stocks come second if it's cracked can it be repaired. Everything else including the lock can be repaired and generally doesn't cost that much, a whole new lock would only set you back a little over 100 bucks.

 

[Murphy_Roberts]

My first thought would be cost, if it can be had at a decent price the lock can be repaired. When I buy original guns the bore is always my main concern because that is the most expensive thing to have repaired, stocks come second if it's cracked can it be repaired. Everything else including the lock can be repaired and generally doesn't cost that much, a whole new lock would only set you back a little over 100 bucks.

Bore is the best thing that comes out of this rifle. Ran some patches and not tearing or even strands sticking. Rand a borescope down and it was oily but decent. The finish of the rifle has aged. The only damaged is the front sight broke off or was removed at some point (beside lock not working right).

 

[French Colonial]

I am with Andy, if the bore is halfway decent and the price is reasonable buy it, that lock looks good on that rifle and I would fix it

 

[GREENSWLDE]

That lock looks (if not original} a good copy of a late 1700's early 1800 English sporting or rifle water proof lock. Haven't seen the rest but if it's like the lock and cheap enough _BUY IT.. if it's smooth bore and rough have it sleeved to a smaller bore or a nice light Game rifle. .451"Henry (not PC) but would be good to 4/500 yards. It wouldn't hurt too much and you have a wide choice of bullets . Ask David.. O.D.